EU EXTERNAL PARTNERS: NGOs demand release of detained journalists in Egypt ― Egyptian NGO highlights deaths in detention and during deportation procedures― Egyptian government reject s possibility of hosting EU ‘return hub’ ― NGOs renew criticism of Frontex co-operation with authorities in Libya ― EPP head issues border warning to Morocco
NGOs have raised concerns following the arrest of journalists from an investigative news website in Egypt. A new NGO report has highlighted dozens of cases of people dying in detention or during deportation procedures in Egypt. The Egyptian government has indicated...
SPAIN: Government suspends plans for special law to accelerate asylum procedures ― Human rights NGO accuses Spanish armed forces of violence against undocumented people ― Makeshift shelters destroyed by fire ― Demonstration in Madrid
The government has suspended a planned royal decree-law aimed at facilitating the expulsion or return of people who have remained in Ceuta two months after the mass arrival at the end of July. A human rights NGO has reported that members of Spain’s armed forces have...
UK: More deaths in the Channel ― Legal proceedings relating to small boat crossings ― End of ‘One in, one out’ migration scheme ― NGO documents injuries on people returned to France ― NGO reports disappearance of ‘hundreds’ of returnees ― Government announces (re)opening of refugee resettlement routes
At least four people have died in separate incidents in the Channel in September. There have been several legal proceedings relating to small boat Channel crossings in recent weeks. The UK-France migration deal has been scrapped. An NGO has reported multiple injuries...
Advanced ELENA Course 2026
The 2026 Advanced ELENA Course will take place 20-21 November in Malaga, Spain. This year’s course will explore recent jurisprudence and practices of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights, while additionally informing and...
OP-ED: Loosening the grip on civil society in Greece – NGO Registry rules quashed and referred to the EU Court
By Elli Kriona Saranti and Minos Mouzourakis On 16 September, the highest administrative court of Greece announced that the main tenets of registration rules for civil society organisations working with refugees and migrants breach constitutional and human rights...
CENTRAL EUROPE: Civil society legal complaint about new quota system for family reunification in Austria ― Far right election successes increase fears for people with migrant backgrounds in Germany― Fall in number of Ukrainian refugees in Poland ― Swiss government rejects ‘extreme’ border control and asylum initiative from populist party
A group of NGOs and legal academics have filed a complaint with the European Commission against Austria over its laws restricting the rights of refugees to family reunification. People with migrant backgrounds and migration-focused NGOs in Germany have expressed...
MEDITERRANEAN: Fewer arrivals but more deaths on migration routes ― Cyprus looks to migrant workers to replace repatriated Syrian refugees in construction sector ― Greek Council of State rules key provisions of NGO Registry law ‘unconstitutional’ ― Two NGOs accuse authorities in Greece of ignoring landmark ECtHR pushback ruling ― Investigations into issuing of ‘fake’ medical certificates to help asylum applicants in Italy ― Fears of pushbacks in Malta’s search and rescue zone
There has been a fall in the number of irregular arrivals to Europe in 2026 but more people on the move have died. The Cypriot government is looking to recruit foreign workers to fill labour shortages in the construction sector as it continues its programme of...
Latest European asylum trends
On 10 September, the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) published its mid-year report on the latest European asylum trends. The report is based on data collected January-June 2026 in EU+ countries (EU member states plus Norway and Switzerland). A number of key...